Chapungu Sculpture Park, home to Zimbabwean stone sculpture, hosted a unique artistic experience that drew a multi-cultural audience of intimate music lovers who had signed up for a Songs from a Room (Sofar) concert recently.
The landscaped garden is a cultural landmark and was established by the late stone sculpture visionary Roy Guthrie. It sits on 15 hectares of land in Msasa, Harare and has a unique stone sculpture collection that spans three generations.
The lush, natural woodland of indigenous trees and huge stone sculptures dotted across the park provided a striking contrast to the live music event which was themed “A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community through Art”.
Organisers said the show was a belated celebration of World Art Day, which is observed worldwide on April 15, and that hosting it at the park was meant to leverage the power of live music performances and visual art to celebrate diversity and community.
Sofar Sounds Harare is part of a global community of independent music curators and artists. It has been putting together small-scale live music shows in non-traditional venues around the city including restaurants, galleries, people's backyards, rooftops and other unique spaces.
Last month, Old Rock Cafe in Borrowdale hosted its tenth edition in a repurposed swimming pool that was creatively transformed into a lounging area.
"There is a lot of cultural history associated with this space and we are delighted to have brought our eleventh edition here," event organiser and city curator Khumbulani Muleya told Standard Style.
Chapungu Sculpture Park is dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage of African stone sculpture and houses over a thousand pieces of carved stone artwork.
Upon entry, guests made their way through the lush green woodland towards the theater where the concert was staged, passing through captivating stone sculptures of different sizes ranging between two and three metres in height.
Sofar Harare, which debuted in Zimbabwe in 2022, has carved a reputation with its trademark secret locations and a penchant for showcasing surprise artists as evidenced by the unexpected performances of Bantu Spaceship, Nkosana Hamandishe (Blanco Drums), Saxopash and Taffie Matiure.
Over 60 artists have performed on the platform including established artists such as Tanga Wekwa Sando, Filbert Marova, Tina Watyoka and Hope Masike, including the unheralded, but talented voices of Nonny Muhoni, King Billius, Cingi, True Bhantu Tribe and many others.
The concert was opened by Saxopash who has previously played at two Sofar shows as part of rock band Deuteronomy and as a duet with Lovedale Makalanga.
The innovative and diverse saxophone player is proficient on the guitar and also performed a rap song (Leave It Behind) deviating from his typical saxophone compositions. The artist said emotional and mental self-growth inspired the song.
“The realisation that your best is not dictated by others who seem very close and helpful to your endeavors toward destiny whilst feeding on your energy by just taking, taking and not giving back,” he said.
In the song Musi Uyo, he was backed by Sofar alumni Max Aronow. He also serenaded the audience with a saxophone cover of ‘Me & U’ by Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems.
The MC, Michar Mushiko then introduced virtuoso drummer Nkosana who captivated the audience with his rhythmic mastery. A prominent figure in the music community, Nkosana has made significant contributions as a member of InTotal Band.
Afro-fusion artist Taffie Matiure did a memorable solo set performing some of his original compositions and covers of several local songs much to the delight of the audience.
Bantu Spaceship who are riding on the wave of their recent appearance on American broadcast and online programming radio station KEXP closed the show.
The band comprising Ulenni OkaNdlovu, Joshua Madalitso Chiundiza, The Serpant and Thando Mlambo is inspired by the 1980s creative explosion in Zimbabwe, where artists started fusing local styles with modern Western sounds to create alternative and experimental movements.
“We had a great time, it's beautiful how Sofar is curating music and spaces and showing how beautiful Zimbabwe is. Chapungu is a beautiful place that I have heard of but have never been to, so thanks to Sofar. The audience was amazing,” OkaNdlovu said.
Cities that hosted similar shows on the same day include Logroño (Spain), Eskisehir (Turkey), Raipur (India), Madrid (Spain), Toulouse (France), Raleigh/ Durham (USA), Lima (Peru), Madison USA, Guadalajara (Mexico).